A Fragile Lifeline

The vulnerability of Sikkim’s principal arterial road, NH 10, stands exposed—yet again. With the monsoons approaching, the state stares at the grim prospect of being cut off from the rest of the country, as it has been every monsoon since last two decades. More than just a road, NH 10 is Sikkim’s economic and social lifeline. And yet, its continued fragility—worsened by natural disasters, unchecked infrastructure works, and sluggish institutional response—raises serious questions about our national priorities for the Northeast and the fragile Himalayas.

The High Court of Sikkim’s recent intervention in a PIL underscores a systemic failure in balancing development with accountability. The under-construction Sevoke-Rangpo railway line, which promises improved connectivity, has ironically compounded the crisis by destabilising NH 10’s drainage infrastructure. As reported by Amicus Curiae Tashi Rapten Barfungpa, IRCON’s construction activities have led to clogged culverts, slush-covered surfaces, and blocked drains—jeopardising road safety and worsening flood vulnerability.

The Court’s sharp rebuke of IRCON—warning of personal liability for officers—should not merely be seen as legal warning but as an urgent call to re-evaluate the way national infrastructure projects are executed in ecologically sensitive zones. The lack of coordination between agencies like IRCON and NHIDCL only exacerbates the chaos on the ground. The people of Sikkim pay the price.

It is unacceptable that a state’s only highway to the rest of the country can be virtually unusable for most parts of the year. The October 2023 Teesta flash floods, which drastically altered river morphology, exposed the structural inadequacies of NH 10, especially the Melli–Teesta Bazaar stretch. Even now, ongoing repair and strengthening work often restricts traffic movement—delaying goods, emergency services, and isolating communities. In times of medical emergencies, food shortages, or disaster relief, this disconnect can be fatal.

What Sikkim urgently needs is not patchwork repair but a strategic vision: the construction of a robust, all-weather alternate national highway that can serve as a dependable backup. This must be complemented by long-term investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, strict monitoring of all construction projects near sensitive terrain, and seamless coordination among government agencies and contractors.

Connectivity cannot remain hostage to negligence or nature. The state’s geographical isolation demands smarter, stronger, and more inclusive infrastructure planning—one that prioritises not just access, but resilience. Anything less is a betrayal of the people of Sikkim and the promises of equitable development.